Freshman shows stuff for Duke basketball

Published: Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 10:33 PM.

DURHAM — Rasheed Sulaimon made a good first impression for the Duke men’s basketball team, but the Blue Devils figure to see more of that from the freshman guard.

His performance was one of the highlights for Duke in a 105-87 exhibition victory against Western Washington, the reigning Division II national champion, on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

“From the tip, my adrenalin was pumping,” Sulaimon said. “I thought it was a great showing out there for the team. … That’s one thing Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) told us, just be aggressive.”

Perhaps the most telling part about Sulaimon came on Duke’s first possession.

“He had an unbelievable first half and it started off with the first play,” Krzyzewski said. “We called a certain thing and he made a read that was the opposite of what the play was, but it was the right read. And for a freshman on his first play to have the guts to make a read and follow his instincts, it’s impressive for me.”

DURHAM — Rasheed Sulaimon made a good first impression for the Duke men’s basketball team, but the Blue Devils figure to see more of that from the freshman guard.

His performance was one of the highlights for Duke in a 105-87 exhibition victory against Western Washington, the reigning Division II national champion, on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

“From the tip, my adrenalin was pumping,” Sulaimon said. “I thought it was a great showing out there for the team. … That’s one thing Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) told us, just be aggressive.”

Perhaps the most telling part about Sulaimon came on Duke’s first possession.

“He had an unbelievable first half and it started off with the first play,” Krzyzewski said. “We called a certain thing and he made a read that was the opposite of what the play was, but it was the right read. And for a freshman on his first play to have the guts to make a read and follow his instincts, it’s impressive for me.”

Duke teammates noticed as well.

“He’s really just a player,” freshman forward Amile Jefferson said. “He got going early and that’s good to see. He was the match that started the fire.”

Sulaimon scored 18 of Duke’s first 46 points.

Duke guard Seth Curry wasn’t in uniform because of an injury.

“With Seth being out for practice, Rasheed has been able to play like a starting position,” Krzyzewski said. “That has helped him.”